By Daniel Kanu
Assistant Politics Editor
The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has applauded the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun on the newly-announced excise duty on tobacco expected to take effect from June 4.
NTCA is a network of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), and professional groups working on tobacco control, human rights, public health and cancer with a view to ensuring qualitative health, sustainable development and good governance for all Nigerians.
The NTCA, in a letter made available to The Niche, signed by the Chair of its Board, Akinbode Oluwafemi noted that the swift response of the government to the group’s December 2017 request for implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 as it relates to tariffs and the 2018 fiscal policy, was commendable and should be commended by Nigerians.
The organisation urged the government to stand firm in its firmness to ensure that tobacco excise taxes are progressively adjusted upwards in conformity with the global tobacco convention standard of achieving an excise burden of 70 per cent of the retail price per pack of 20 cigarettes.
It explained that contrary to tobacco industry arguments, the policy would be of immense benefit to public health and the Nigerian economy, as evidence points to tobacco taxation as the most cost effective strategy to reduce tobacco consumption and ensure that young people do not pick up the deadly habit.
According to the statement “Tobacco, being a leading cause of cancers and other deadly diseases worldwide; raising taxes for tobacco is expected to raise the retail price which will decrease desirability and demand for tobacco especially amongst young people. Revenue accrued from these can be channeled to the development of our country”.
The NTCA however asked that the excise tax on tobacco be increased in 3 years’ time so that Nigeria can derive all that could be benefited from tobacco excise tax in line with World Health Organization (WHO) standard.